Music Q&A with Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish and Littlest Man Band
Photo courtesy of Scott Klopfenstein
Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish and Littlest Man Band recently teamed up with Bite Me Bambi’s Tahlena Chikami for a cover of the classic Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet, "Islands In The Stream" written by The Bee Gees! It’s rad! In this Q&A, Scott talks about the collaboration, touring, who he would interview if he could, and more!
Recently, you and Bite Me Bambi’s Tahlena, released a cover of the classic Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet "Islands In The Stream". My understanding is that the idea to cover the song was kind of random. What was your favorite part about making this cover and music video?
Making a cover of a tune is just all around enjoyable. The hard part has been done for you if you have chosen a great song like this. It was also nice to get to play in a style that I don’t normally lean towards. 70’s pop country is super fun. It’s laid back and all about the groove.
The video was just a blast since we did it in all of 2 hours in my brothers backyard and I got to get soaked. I am fond of wearing clothes and getting wet. Whether it be jumping in a pool with my clothes on or making a green screen video and getting buckets of water dumped on me, I’m game.
Also Tahlena is fucking great. We had never met until we recorded the tune in the studio and now we are excited to do another tune. She rules.
You’ve been on the road for half of your life. How different is touring now versus when you first started?
For one thing, I get booed far less. Also, I know so much more what to expect on a day to day basis. Effective touring is something you learn. How to manage your time and energy is super important. It can make or break you on any given tour.
I think for the most part the nuts and bolts of touring is pretty much the same.
What is your favorite city to play in?
I don’t have a favorite city to be honest. I have been all over the world so many times that if I was to start playing favorites, each tour would be an eternity. Almost every city I have encountered has the one thing that makes a show great. An excited audience. No matter how good or bad the venue is, if the crowd is great, so is the show.
If you had a chance to interview any of your musical heroes, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Ooooof, that’s a tough one. I think I would probably rather interview someone from another art form. Like a visual artist or choreographer of dance. I’ve read a bit about Pina Bausch and would love to talk with her about her artistic experience and how she translated her perspective into the amazing work that she created.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
"Writers block is editing something you haven’t even written yet.” That was actually a piece of advice I got from a theater director friend and it has been unfathomably helpful.
What’s your favorite thing about making music?
All of it. If I disliked anything at all about it, I would most likely quit. My love for music is total. It is 100% unconditional and reciprocal.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
For me, I have to remember that any negative emotion is just fear and there are only two fears. Fear that I won’t get what I want or that I will lose what I’ve got. It is one or both or those. After that, I focus on being patient, tolerant, loving and of service to all those around me.
I try to remember that any picture of compassion that does not include myself is incomplete.
And lastly, I have trusted and truthful friends, family and health care professionals that I go to when I need a shift in my outlook. I don’t do anything alone and I don’t keep around those who bring undesired chaos and darkness into my life.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Fitting in is not the same as belonging.